Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What method involves retrieving sensitive information by searching through trash bins?

1. Dumpster diving

2. Data harvesting

3. Social engineering

4. Packet sniffing

The correct answer is: Dumpster diving

The method that involves retrieving sensitive information by searching through trash bins is known as dumpster diving. This practice is used by individuals or organizations to collect discarded documents, storage media, and other materials that may contain confidential or sensitive information. By sifting through waste, an attacker can uncover a wide range of valuable data, such as financial information, passwords, proprietary company data, or personal details about individuals. Dumpster diving is particularly effective because many individuals and businesses do not sufficiently secure or dispose of sensitive documents, assuming that once discarded, the information is no longer accessible. The technique emphasizes the importance of proper data disposal practices, such as shredding documents and securely wiping electronic devices, to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information. Data harvesting typically refers to the software-based collection of data from various sources, such as online platforms, and does not involve physical retrieval from trash. Social engineering focuses on manipulating people into divulging confidential information and does not involve searching through physical waste. Packet sniffing is a network analysis technique that captures data packets in transit over a network, which is unrelated to retrieving information from physical sources like trash.